Sustainability and Green Investment Take Centre Stage at Brunei Sustainable Economy Forum 2026
- Confer
- May 19
- 2 min read
Sustainability is no longer just an environmental responsibility but an economic opportunity that will shape the future competitiveness and resilience of economies across ASEAN and the wider Asia-Pacific region, highlighted H.E. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP, during her remarks at the Brunei Sustainable Economy Forum 2026.
Key Takeaways
Sustainability and economic resilience are becoming increasingly important as global economies face geopolitical, climate and energy-related disruptions.
ASEAN is strengthening regional collaboration on green investment through the Regional Investment Promotion Action Plan (RIPAP).
SMEs will play a critical role in the green transition, particularly through stronger sustainability practices and market access.
Brunei’s sustainability efforts, including the Mengkubau Dam floating solar project, were highlighted as examples of growing regional green investment opportunities.
Sustainability as an Economic Opportunity
Speaking at the forum, H.E. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana stressed that sustainability should no longer be viewed only as a moral obligation, but also as a major driver of investment, competitiveness and long-term growth. She noted that climate-related shocks, energy supply disruptions and global economic uncertainty are accelerating the need for more sustainable and resilient economies, while consumers and investors are increasingly demanding stronger environmental and social responsibility from businesses.
She also highlighted the importance of aligning Brunei’s sustainability efforts with Wawasan Brunei 2035, stressing that future-proofing the economy will require stronger diversification and greener business practices.
Strengthening Regional Green Investment
H.E. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana highlighted ASEAN’s Regional Investment Promotion Action Plan (RIPAP) as a major initiative aimed at positioning ASEAN as a coordinated destination for green investment across sectors such as solar energy, biofuels, smart grids and carbon capture and storage (CCS). She noted that ASEAN member states are increasingly working together to jointly attract investment into priority green sectors rather than competing individually for investors.
The remarks also highlighted Brunei’s growing role within ASEAN’s sustainability agenda, including the Mengkubau Dam floating solar project, which was presented as a bankable and investment-ready opportunity to regional investors. Looking ahead, H.E. Armida also announced support for the development of an Invest Borneo Investment Promotion Action Plan involving Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia to strengthen regional value chains and attract greater international investment into sustainable industries across Borneo.
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